New York Jets vs Chicago Bears Picks and Predictions for Sunday October 4 2026
The New York Jets visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET. Chicago enters at 2-1 after an impressive 27-7 Monday night victory over Philadelphia, while New York is 1-2 after losing 31-24 at Detroit. The Bears are currently 3.5-point home favorites, with the total sitting around 43.5. Be sure to check out our free NFL picks for more NFL predictions throughout the season.
Jets Showing Signs of Improvement
New York fell to 1-2 after losing 31-24 to Detroit, but the Jets showed significantly more offensive life than the final record suggests. They remained competitive against the Lions and produced 24 points in a game that wasn’t decided until late.
The Jets have also performed reasonably well defensively in several important areas. New York has limited yardage and generated pressure through the opening three weeks, giving the Jets a formula for remaining competitive even when the offense isn’t operating perfectly.
The challenge is carrying that performance onto the road. Chicago will enter with substantial confidence after Monday night’s victory, and New York cannot afford turnovers or short fields against a Bears team that just demonstrated how effectively it can capitalize on mistakes.
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Bears Riding Monday Night Momentum
Chicago improved to 2-1 with a convincing 27-7 victory over Philadelphia. The Bears controlled the game despite playing without their starting quarterback, receiving an unexpectedly strong performance from their replacement.
Chicago now faces an interesting quarterback decision heading into Week 4. Regardless of who starts, the Bears don’t necessarily need huge passing numbers to win. Their defense showed against Philadelphia that it can control a game and create favorable situations for the offense.
The biggest concern is the short week. Chicago played Monday night and now faces a Jets team that has enough defensive talent to make this a physical matchup. Laying more than a field goal therefore carries some risk.
New York Jets vs Chicago Bears Picks and Prediction
Pick: New York Jets +3.5
Chicago deserves to be favored after its Monday night performance, but getting more than a field goal with New York is attractive. The Jets scored 24 against Detroit and have played better defensively than their 1-2 record suggests. Chicago also has quarterback uncertainty and a short preparation week. This looks like a one-possession game, making +3.5 valuable.
Pick: Under 43.5
Chicago’s defense held Philadelphia to seven points, while New York’s defensive performance through three games has been stronger than the Jets’ record indicates. Both teams should have incentive to play conservatively, particularly with Chicago’s quarterback situation. Expect a physical game with longer possessions and fewer explosive plays. A score around 21-20 or 23-17 keeps this below 43.5.
Final Picks: New York Jets +3.5 and Under 43.5
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